clark



Nov. 8, 1927.

F. J. CLARK REWIND AND REPLAY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PLAYERS Filed April 29. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

INVENTOR. FRANK I CMRK A TTORNE Y.

Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,840

F. J. CLARK nswmn AND REPLAY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC mums Filed April 29. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

EAN J; CLARK, or MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin; Afssronon & CHAIRCOMPANY, or HASTINGS, MICHIGAN, A

. CASE v GAN.

T0 GEAR? liai nis Book qQRBoRA'rroN or MIGHT;

REwI -m AND REP AY MEoHnmsM 'F R lau'roMATI crLAYERs Application filed'April 29', 1822. Serial No. 557.338.-

This invention relates to automatic players and; more particularly, to control mechanisms therefor.

The equipment of standard player pianos.

ordinarily includes a transmission mechanism, controlled from the keyboard rail, and selectivelyoperable to effect feeding .of-the music sheet from the spool during the rendition' of a piece or to effect rewinding. of the sheetonto"-the spoolafter playing. This mechanism"is usual1y driven' by a 'wind; motor"which're' ce1ves 1ts'"power from an appropriate pump or bellows'constituting af's oure eofsuction. In power'driven player's,an felectrio-motor s -commonly employed for'driving the pump or bellows. The motor switch is ordinarily operable" independently ot the' trans nission controhso that to start theplaye'r it has heretofore been necessary for the operator to set the transmission mechanism into playing positioii before olos in tlIB'SWIlICiL" bile; object of the Another ob je'c t is' tlleprovision of animprovedm'echanisiii' automatically operable; to

'sie'sh eet after a r with the geanli totsdriveathdssharfbrlfi aafi li eli'ect; rewinding of the-iii piece has been played:

proved mechanism automatically operable; to

efie'ot replaying of a piece and adjustable to stoptheplay'er at the endfof the rewind-I ing operation.

Another object is the provision of an inipro'ved mechanism for automatically render wind the-music thereon.---" The' sleve 'isconing the wind motor-inactive when the motor switch i'sopened. j

after appear One embodiment of this invention is dis closed in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Other objects and advantages will herein Figure l is a view in elevation of a controi mechanism constructed in accordance with the 'n'esent invention and shown applied to ;-i piano oi standard (.Olla'il'tlt'ilUll.

present invention is the} provision"of."a' unitary control' -by' which stifrting'of the playerfmay'be effected --'by 'a* certain Isim'ple manipulation regardless of thel'prior isetting 'of the -triinsinission ineChr J f ing'a Pimon/27 'securediatzpnerend thereoin Another object the provision'of an im Figure 2 is a sectional viewbf the control mechanism of Figure 1,- illustr'ating;more;or= less diagrammatically.- thejpositio'n Ofqthfi parts normally ass'umed before-playing.

F 1gure:3 is a similar iview;illustrati n position ofIparts duringsthe rendition ofa Piece;. .7 1 .t:.-.-f me:

Figure '4 is a-'- horizontal. sectiona lg v e taken substantially origtheeline of- 1Fig=.;- IIIQSVTQ and;3.- .l: f-.; 1! I i -3 i ilf f' -'Figure"5-is a.-;secti.0na1 H I stantiallyfalongtthe line-:5 of Eiguresi' 2 and -3.Z" 5: i "F tz-1.1m 2: :11 The piano partially illustrated in Ei-gnreij 111s equipped! with-Ethel; usual; rolLz' bo 2;{' ;10 o5 eontainingtheusual tracker baHIl af QQ IQlL ymwi itaken: sub 1 12 'and music spindle:134: ;{Ihe'- pind1 }3 j i v drivenby a shaft.:-14:=.carrying asspno keel w The rol l-l2 Iinoiinted ilponiand driyen-,hyr a "shaft 5316". provided :11 With-,2 a} gear; 11:14: {HA3 counteishaft 18- icai'xies' a. sprooketg-"la'lo osely' mounted-thereon iahdnperatiyjely, cqnngglhgdtrolled by a lever 29, pivoted-at 30 and; err-1 gaging the'usual clutch collar 31. "The-winding mechanism thus far described is old and Well knowninthe art, so that further or more detailed description thereof is deemedunnecessary. 1

The control mechanism selected for illus tration includesa pneumatic 32 mounted infixed position'upon a chest 33fand provided -with fixed and movable leaves 34 and 35. m0

the s5 arm and a nut 'or'colla'r 40 secured to the link. The othelgfnd oflink 38 is pivotally connected, as at 41, to the end oflever 29.

Pneumatic 32 is biased :toward expanded position by a spring 42. When so expanded, aiP'arm 36, link 38 and lever 29 are :in sjih ositien that the sleeve 26 is shifted to the. eft aiid pinion=27-is in inesh withsgear 17-.

This is; the normal relation of the .pa'rts daring the rendition 'ofz'a? piece. d/Vhen pneumatic 32' is C(iliapSetL-"arm 36-aud link 38 "are shifted to the left, thus rocking lever 29 t sliift-"sleeve 26- to i tliegri g'ht, so that clutoh' 28 isthroWn -into engagement vv'ith the sprocket 19. This is the condition of the ;-parts"duringthe jr'ewindin-g operation. To 'efi'ect'collapse- 0f the pneumatic 32-,itgis subjectedm suction in a manner to be hereinafter de- The chest 3*3 isdiv'i ded into three acornpartnients, 43, 4A 'and Communication is e'iiected b'etween' corfipart'm'ent 43 and the wind motor 22 through a conduit- 46' and the valve moi: 47 "to be herein-after "described. Compartment 44 communicates through-a c ondhit 48w'ith'the usual wind governing mechanisin from which thewind motorreceived its, power. A port 49 is piov'itied between com-- pa'rt'ments 43 and 44. The effective area of this port'i'svaried and controlled-by-a slide valve 5'0'm'anually controlled by'a link -51 so-"as t'o vary the fiow of 'ai'r from compartmentaa to compartment 44 and thus vary and "control the spe'ed of the wind-motor. Compartment 45 is connected through .a conduit 62-with the source of-suct-ion so that high tension air is normally maintained'i'n compartment 45. =Afport 53"is arranged between compartment 45 and compartment 43, this port being normally closed-by a valve '4: 54 pivotally mountedas'at 55=and controlled by a plunger 56. A-spring 57 associated with plunger tends 'atall times to retain the valve 54 in Closed position.

Thernovable leaf 35 of pneumatic 32 carries a 'detent 58 adapted to depress'the plunger 56'to open the valve 54 when the pneumatic iscollapsed and torelease the plunger when the pneumatic is expanded. -Since, as above pointed out; the pneumatic 32 is in expanded condition during playing, the valve 54 is closed a-ndthe wind motor is driven at a comparatively-low rate of speed under governed or low tension-air. As soon,- however, as pneumatic 32 is collapsed to throw'the parts into rewinding position, valve 54 is' opened, thus placing compartment 43, and consequently the wind motor, under the in fluence of high tension air to effect the de sired high speed operation of the wind motor at this time,

A secondf'pneumatic 59 isprovided for releasably retaining pneumatic 32 in collapsed condition during replaying, This pneumaticis 9 own-d xpanded e n'ditimi by I a spring 60. The movable leaf til of this pneumatic is arranged to cooperate with 'the' detent 58 ofpfieiifiiatic '32ii1's'uh manner as to permit'theeollapse of pneumatic 82 and to retain, by a latching action, detent 58 in the dptverrhost-zposition sh'own, for instance, in -Fi-gure 2: 1T0 releasepneumatic 32 to permit it to assume its normal e-xpaiidedcondition,-'it=is necessarythat pneumatic 59 be collapsed. Inthis-instance, this -is manually eiiected by means of-a push rod--62;having one end fi3lprojeetin g to a-p'oint within convenient reach of; the 0perator,--an d prefer-ably within the 'roIhbOX 10,, This end-of the rod may be provided with a suitable knob or push but-tonti. -A bumper collar 65, carried by- -the rod, is adapted to bear upon the mov able-leaf 61 ot'pneumatic 59 to effect col lapse of thispneum-atioby pressure upon the button 64:. Pneumatic 59 is normally open to atmospheric pressure, but may be collapsed by subjecting it ;t0 suction, in the manner,

-fo i instane, =as;that to be later described.

The-push rod 62-also serves to close the switch 66 which controls the power circuit of the electric motor commonly used for driving the mechanism in player-pianos of this type. ]:l 1(= 'SfWitCh 6fi shojwii is of ivell known cqnstrucioii. It-includesapai'r of contactsi67 eonnected'fiespectively with power lads 68 and ada ted to be'elosed' by-a contact-in the form o -a agct'o. is mounted for reciprocation Within'the switch casing 7 0 and is controlled by -a plunger 71 carryinga; double endcone-72. A coiled spring 73,in the form of-a'loop, is enclosed within the cage 69 and embraces cone 72. The arrangement is such that when the plunger 7l is forced to the right (Fig. 2) until the coiled spring rises over the'wide part of the double cone, the cage 69 is'quickly shifted to the left to engage and thus electrically connect the two contacts; Then the plunger is withdrawn a re'verse a ftion"occurs and-the switchis opened. In this instance, the end 74 ofthe pushrod 62 isarranged adjacent the end of the plunger 71, so that when the push rod 'isforce'd tojthe right theplunger 71 is shifted in a similar direction to close the switch.

A'pneumatic 75 is provided 'for opening the switch. This pneumatic is provided with an arm 76 secured to the movable leaf 77 thereof and 'liavin'g 'r'nechanifcal connection with plunger 71. Pneumatic 75 is normally open to atmospheric pressure, so that it does not interfere with the manual closing of the switch. To open the switch, pneumatic is subjected to suction, in the manner to be later described, by which the pneumatic is collapsed, the plunger 71 shifted to the left and the switch opened.

The three pneumatics 32, 59 and 75 are pneumatically controlled by any appropriate type of valve mechanism, a standard form of which will now be described. This mechanism, as herein shown, includes a valve block 78, provided with the usual channel 79, which is at all times in communication with a suitable'source of suction through conduit 80. A plurality of separate chambers 81 are arranged adjacent the channel, each having separate communication through conduit 82 with one of the-three pneumatics above named. Each chamber 81 is provided with the channel 79, andeach is provided with a port 84 through which atmospheric air may be admitted to'each chamber. :A valve 85 is provided-for controlling these two ports. Each valve is provided witha stem 86 which rests upon aflexible diaphragm 87 stretched across a pocket-88iformed within the base of the channel 79. A, partial vacuum is maintained in each pocket 88 through a small blee d'89'communicat ing with channel 79, so that) each-valve isnormally in lower position of Figure 5',"in which position each port 83 is closed and eachof the chambers 81 is open to atmospheric pressure, thus subjecting each of the-three pneumatics to atmospheric pressure. TO effect collapse of any of the three pneumatics,atmospheric air is admitted to one of -the pockets '88 through one of the tubes 90, 91 or 92. This causes the diaphragm87 of the selected pocket to flex upwardly, so that the selected valve 85 is lifted to close port 84 and open port 83. In this position, air is withdrawn from the selected pneumatic through conduit 82 and chamber 81 to the channel 79.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 3, tube 90 controls the pneumatic 59, tube 91 controls pneumatic 32 and tube 92 controls pneumatic 75. Tube 91 is connected directly with an appropriate opening in the tracker bar 93 controlled by a perforation or perforations in the music sheet. Tube 90 is connected to a valve casing 94 which, in turn is connected through tube 95 with a suitable opening in the tracker bar, controlled by a perforation or perforations in the music sheet. A valve 96 is mounted in casing 94 and provided with a duct 97 adapted to make or break communication between tubes 90 and 95, depending upon the position of the valve. This valve is preferably manually controlled by any appropriate means, such as a plunger 98 mounted within the convenient reach of the operator.

Tube 92 is connected with a port 99 controlled by a valve 100 carried by one arm 101 of a bell crank lever, whose other arm 102 is arranged to make a contact with the music sheet during the playing of a piece. This bell crank is pivotally mounted as at 103, and is biased toward rocking movement in such direction as to lift the valve 100 away from port 99. During the playing of a piece, however, the pressure upon the arm 102, due to the tension in the paper, is. such as to retain the bell crank in valve closing position. \Vhen the tension in the paper. is destroyed, however, as at the end of the rewindin g operation, thebell crank swings tosuch position as to open the "alve 100, thus permitting air to enter tube 92 to effect collapseof pneumatic-75. .Asabove pointed out, this causes the opening ofthe switch66 to stop the electric motor.

It has been found highly desirableto pr0-' vide special mechanism residual air tension in the wind motoryafter the electric switch has been closed, tothus avoid any delayed action or operation of the wind motor. instance by the use of the .valve box 47 here inabove referred to. -A"valve 104 is pro vided in this box for opening and closing communication between the conduit-46 and box. This valveis connected'by a link 105 with the movable leaf 77 of pneumatic 75. Thebox 47 is provided with an air inlet port 106 controlled by a springpressed valvefor destroying; the

This is accomplished in this,

108. -Valves lO4'and. 108 are so. corelated i that. when valve 104 is in. open position, as.

indicated in-Figure 3, valve 108 is closed, thus effecting positive communication between the wind motor and conduit 46..: When valve 104 -is shifted toclosing position of Figure 2, however, it engages the stem 109.

of valve 108 to force valve 108 to open position, thus .permitting atmospheric air to enter the valve box to destroy any vacuum remaining in the wind motor.

Before playing, the various parts are nor mally in the position shown in Figure 2, that is, the pneumatic 75 is collapsed, pneumatic 59 is expanded and pneumatic 32 is collapsed. In some instances, before playing, pneumatic 32 is expanded. After placing the music spool upon the spindle 13 and connecting the music sheet with the player roll 12 in the usual manner, the player may be started merely by pressing the button 64 carried by the push rod 62 to' shift rod 62 to the right. As above pointed out, this action of the rod closes the switch 66. This movement of the rod 62 also effects a collapse of pneumatic 59, so that in the event that pneumatic 32 was previously in collapsed condition, it is permitted to expand under the influence of its spring. The expansion of pneumatic 32, of course, shifts the transmission mechanism into playing position, as above described. Playing thus continues until a certain perforation in the ner'above described; thuscausingpneumatio- 32'to collapset: This resultsiin shitting-the transmission mechanism to rewinding positionuandl in opening. the valve 5% to subject tlIGWlIIGlIIlOtOI to higln tension air As:

suminguthab the valve 96. is in the; position shown-in Figure 3, the rewinding. operation will continue until the tension-in the-music. sheethas been destroyed by its disengaging fromLthe feed roll. W hen this occurs, valve 100 will automatically shift to.- open. positionancl atm'ospheric air \villibei admitted. th'roughport SO-into tube 92 to'eifecbcols lapse of pneumatic 7 5: This action will, of course, openthe switch 66, shift -the valve 104a: to: closing; position: and! open the. valvei108;-- I

lfiitiis desired .that a piecebe automati ca lly replayed, thetvalve 96 'is shiftedainto position, such tlrat communication isrestab- I Iisheibetween tubes 90.and .95 through conduitx97 With the: valve inthis position,rre-- winding of ithewmusic will-continue until .the openiangiinat otraoker bar associatediwitho tubel95 ;is uncovered'byi ai perforation in the mu'sic'sheetp When this occurs, atmospheric air. is admittedlthroughixtube 95 into tube 90,'-tl1US'.C&USiI1'g1.thB- pneumatic 59- to:- collapsecto. releasmpneumatic :32 i and .thus permi'c pneumatic. 321m.- expanclcand; shift the 'transmissionamechanism hacks into playing.

position:

Variousfiehanges-may; beimadei in the ems bodimentbof thei invention-a hereinabov'e de-w scribed, without departing, fromor sacrifice ing v any; of: the advantages of the 'iriventioni asz definedxin the: appended claims.

1. In a sheet controlled pneumatic player, the combination oiisheet feeding and rewind ing mechanism, means intiludingl an pn-e'tn Ina-tier for selectively placing: :said mechanism in feeding; and. rewindingtcorrditionc restk ien'ti means for operating saidpneumatic in one direction to place: said mechanismin one; condition,- latch mechanism for: relas+ ablyretaining; said pneumatic: and. conse quen-tlyr said me'chanism' in the 1 other condis tion-Vand: means-- fonreleasing: saidl latchmech'anism to permit said pneumatic-I to respond to *the 'action tot resilient meansi 2, In aisheet controkled pneumatic player, the combination of sheetfeeding and rewinding mechanism, means including; a-zpneumatic for select lively! placingisa-idmechanism inl feeding? and rewindirig condition,- pneu. mate means for collapsing said pneumatic to place said mechanism in" rewinding. condition, latch: mechanism for releasably retaining said l pneumatic" in collapsed condition'; and resilient means for expanding: said pneumatic to place said mechanism-in-sheet feeding: condition when said latch mechanism is released.

3. 111 a sheet controlled pneumatic player,

the combination of transmission mechanism-7 matic to shift said mechanism into sheet feedingzand rewinding condition.

ii. ln a'sheetcontrolled pneumatic player the'comhination of sheet operating lllQCilllr nism, sheet controlled means to: controlling theoperatiortof said-mechanisinso as to se so lectirelyfeedand rewind the sheet,-;and a resilientconnection betweensaid control means and said mechanism.

5; In-a: sheet controlledpneumatic player,

the combinationof sheet feeding and re- Winding: mechanism, a Wind motor for driving said mechanism, a connectionbetween. saidunctor' and a source of suction, andmcans-i'orsevering: said con-nection'and for admitting atmospheric air to said motorto destroy: the-residual airtension therein.

6. In a sheet-controlled pneumatic player, the combination of sheet: feeding and re winding:mechanisni,-drivingf means therefor,

means ii'icluding a pneumatic automatically' 9 operable to place said mechanism insheet teedingj COXidltdOll, sheet controlled meansforcausi'ngsaid pneumatic topl'ace said mechanism in sheet rewinding; condition, and

sheet controlled latch means: for releasably 100 retaining saidpneumatic and. consequently said meehanism-imsheet rewinding condition? 7. In a sheet-controlled pneumaticplayer,

th'e-coi'nbin'ation of slieet'feeding; aiicl rewinding mechanism; driving,means=-theretor, con

tr'olzmeans: forselectively: rendering said driving, means -2LCE1V6- and inactive, means lncluding a pneumatic automatically opera blet to place said=mechanism in sheet feeding condition, sheetcon-trolledmeans for. causing, saidpneumatic to pl-acesaidmechanism in sheetrewinding; condition, means-for releasably. retainingisaid pneumatic, and consequently condition, and means cooperating wifh said control means and saidretaining means for rendering said driving means active and for simultaneously releasing; said pneumatic to placesaid-mechanism in sheet feeding condition.

8; In -asheetcontrolled pneumatc player, thecombination of sheet feeding-ain trewinding. mechanism, driving. means therefor,

means including apneumatic f r cont-rolling said driving means, means including a sec 0nd pneumaticfor controlling. said winding mechanism, resilientmeans tending to force said second pneumatic 'intoposition to place said mechanism, in sheetrewinding, 115

said Winding mechanism in sheet teeding condition, sheet controlled means for causing said second pneumatic to assume such position as to place said winding mechanism in rewinding condition, means including a third pneumatc or releasablv retaining said second pneumatic in said latter position, and sheet controlled means associated with said third pneumatic for effecting the release of said second pneumatic to place said Winding mechanism in sheet feeding condition.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 22nd day of April, 1922.

FRANK J. CLARK. 

